Publications

Bimetallic 15 nm Rh(1-x)Pd(x) nanoparticle catalysts of five different compositions and supported on Si wafers have been synthesized, characterized using TEM, SEM, and XPS, and studied in CO oxidation by O(2) in two pressure regimes: atmospheric pressure and 100-200 mTorr. The RhPd bimetallic nanocrystals exhibited similar synergetic effect of increased reaction activity at both atmospheric (760 Torr) and moderate (100-200 mTorr) pressures compared with pure Pd or Rh. The magnitude of the effect depends on the relative pressures of the CO and O(2) reactant gases and the reaction temperature. The catalytic activity of the nanocrystals measured at moderate pressure is directly correlated to the APXPS studies, which were carried out in the same pressure. The APXPS studies suggest that the Pd-Rh interfaces are important for the enhanced activity of the bimetallic nanoparticles.

BackgroundThe mechanisms of action of many environmental agents commonly involve oxidative stress resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. Zinc is a common environmental metallic contaminant that has been implicated in a variety of oxidant-dependent toxicological responses. Unlike ions of other transition metals such as iron, copper, and vanadium, Zn2+ does not generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) through redox cycling.ObjectiveTo characterize the role of oxidative stress in zinc-induced toxicity.MethodsWe used an integrated imaging approach that employs the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-specific fluorophore Peroxy Green 1 (PG1), the mitochondrial potential sensor 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1), and the mitochondria-targeted form of the redox-sensitive genetically encoded fluorophore MTroGFP1 in living cells.ResultsZinc treatment in the presence of the Zn2+ ionophore pyrithione of A431 skin carcinoma cells preloaded with the H2O2-specific indicator PG1 resulted in a significant increase in H2O2 production that could be significantly inhibited with the mitochondrial inhibitor carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone. Mitochondria were further implicated as the source of zinc-induced H2O2 formation by the observation that exposure to zinc caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Using MTroGFP1, we showed that zinc exposure of A431 cells induces a rapid loss of reducing redox potential in mitochondria. We also demonstrated that zinc exposure results in rapid swelling of mitochondria isolated from mouse hearts.ConclusionTaken together, these findings show a disruption of mitochondrial integrity, H2O2 formation, and a shift toward positive redox potential in cells exposed to zinc. These data demonstrate the utility of real-time, live-cell imaging to study the role of oxidative stress in toxicological responses.

Blue large-amplitude pulsators (BLAPs) represent a new and rare class of hot pulsating stars with unusually large amplitudes and short periods. Up to now, only 24 confirmed BLAPs have been identified from more than one billion monitored stars, including a group with pulsation period longer than $\sim 20$ min (classical BLAPs, hereafter) and the other group with pulsation period below $\sim 8$ min. The evolutionary path that could give rise to such kinds of stellar configurations is unclear. Here we report on a comprehensive study of the peculiar BLAP discovered by the Tsinghua University - Ma Huateng Telescopes for Survey (TMTS), TMTS J035143.63+584504.2 (TMTS-BLAP-1). This new BLAP has an 18.9 min pulsation period and is similar to the BLAPs with a low surface gravity and an extended helium-enriched envelope, suggesting that it is a low-gravity BLAP at the shortest-period end. In particular, the long-term monitoring data reveal that this pulsating star has an unusually large rate of period change, P_dot/P=2.2e-6/yr. Such a significant and positive value challenges its origins from both helium-core pre-white-dwarfs and core helium-burning subdwarfs, but is consistent with that derived from shell helium-burning subdwarfs. The particular pulsation period and unusual rate of period change indicate that TMTS-BLAP-1 is at a short-lived (~10^6 yr) phase of shell-helium ignition before the stable shell-helium burning; in other words, TMTS-BLAP-1 is going through a "Hertzsprung gap" of hot subdwarfs.

We present ultraviolet spectra of the dwarf Seyfert 1 nucleus of NGC 4395, obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) and the Hubble Space Telescope’s Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph at velocity resolutions of 7 to 15 km s −1. We confirm our earlier claim of C IV absorption in lowresolution UV spectra and detect a number of other absorption lines with lower ionization potentials. In addition to the Galactic lines, we identify two kinematic components of absorption that are likely to be intrinsic to NGC 4395. We consider possible origins of the absorption, including the interstellar medium (ISM) of 1 Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope

Norton Healthcare, an integrated delivery system based in Louisville, Ky., is one of the provider groups taking part in the Brookings–Dartmouth ACO Pilot Program to form accountable care organizations, which assume responsibility for improving patient care and lowering total costs and, in turn, share in the savings achieved. This case study explores the characteristics of Norton and its partners, including the insurer Humana, that have contributed to the development of the ACO, including: a strong payer–provider relationship bolstered by a joint ACO implementation committee, a focus on performance measurement and reporting, an expanding heath information technology infrastructure, and an integrated system that facilitates communication and collaboration across the continuum of care.

Three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructures were synthesized by the halide chemical vapor deposition of InGaN nanowires on Si wire arrays. Single phase InGaN nanowires grew vertically on the sidewalls of Si wires and acted as a high surface area photoanode for solar water splitting. Electrochemical measurements showed that the photocurrent density with hierarchical Si/InGaN nanowire arrays increased by 5 times compared to the photocurrent density with InGaN nanowire arrays grown on planar Si (1.23 V vs RHE). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that InGaN nanowires are stable after 15 h of illumination. These measurements show that Si/InGaN hierarchical nanostructures are a viable high surface area electrode geometry for solar water splitting.